An innovative programme that aims to decrease drug-related deaths, reduce stigma and promote treatment and recovery is up and running in Torbay.

Torbay Council and Torbay Recovery Initiatives (TRI), the local drug and alcohol treatment service, with the support of Devon and Cornwall Police, is running a peer-to-peer naloxone training and supply programme.

Naloxone is a powerful medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose within minutes.

It can be given by an injection or nasally and acts within two to four minutes. It can last up to 45 minutes, providing critical time to save someone’s life before emergency services arrive.

Trained people with experience of being dependent on drugs or alcohol, have formed a group of peers, known as the Torbay Naloxone Tribe (TNT). They act as naloxone champions and are distributing naloxone kits and providing training to others on the streets of Torbay.

Although the project was officially launched yesterday, the champions have been out and about in Torbay over the last few months talking to members of the public and business owners about the project and offering training.

The project is the brainchild of George Charlton, who is overseeing the Torbay scheme and has experience of addiction.

George said: “It’s been amazing to work in Torbay over the last few months to get the inspiring TNT peers trained up and hitting the streets to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of an overdose and how to use naloxone for the purposes of saving a life.

“Behind every addiction problem is a person deserving of love, compassion and support and this is at the heart of everything we aim to do through our peer-led naloxone project.

“This is a really important project for the whole Torbay community and one which everyone can play their part in by getting trained up and carrying naloxone; you never know, you may just save a life.”

Councillor Hayley Tranter, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said: “Drug use and the risk of overdose are present in Torbay, especially due to synthetic opioids being seen more often.

“Drug use can affect anyone, regardless of age, background or social status. Getting this training could help you to save the life of a stranger or a loved one.

“If we can prevent more overdoses, we give more people the chance to recover.”

Police Inspector Ben Shardlow, from Devon & Cornwall Police, added: “It’s been positive to see the impact that the Torbay Naloxone Tribe has had on the community so far, reaching out to support and safeguard vulnerable people within Torbay.

“We’ll continue to work alongside our partners and the group to further support education and access to the life-saving overdose treatment drug.”

Jenny Whelband, Clinical Team Lead at Torbay Recovery Initiatives, said: “It’s been wonderful to see the amazing work that the Torbay Naloxone Tribe have been doing over the last couple of months.

“The Tribe are part of our local community and it’s awesome to see them supporting others. They are enthusiastic and approachable. If you see them out and about, please stop and say hello – you might just stop for a chat or they can show you how to save a life.”

During 2021-23, there were 22 deaths recorded related to drug use in Torbay.

Since the project began at the end of January, 114 people have been trained and given a naloxone kit to take away with them by the TNT peers.

This means that four times as many people in Torbay received a kit during this period because of the project.

This demonstrates the effectiveness of the peer-to-peer approach in terms of distributing this life-saving medication to a wider audience and raising awareness of how to respond to an overdose.  

If you’d like to get trained on how to use naloxone visit the Torbay Recovery Initiatives Facebook page, email tsdft.drugandaclohol@nhs.net or phone 01803 291129. 

The Tribe will happily train individuals and can also offer group training.